Closer and closer: Florida governor's race could result in recount

By:
Kevin Williams

Updated: Nov 8, 2018 - 11:08 PM

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Closer and closer: Florida governor's race could result in recount

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Campaign officials for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum say they are monitoring what appears to be a closer race against Republican Ron DeSantis than it first appeared.

The race for Florida governor is now separated by just 0.44 percent, which is within the 0.5 percent margin for a machine recount, if it holds.

Tuesday night, as votes were still being counted, Gillum trailed DeSantis by around 90,000 votes when he publicly conceded and called DeSantis to congratulate. By Thursday, with more votes tallied and while some discrepancies are sorted out, DeSantis' lead has narrowed dramatically.

"On Tuesday night, the Gillum for Governor campaign operated with the best information available about the number of outstanding ballots left to count," said a statement Thursday from Gillum's campaign. "Since that time, it has become clear there are more uncounted ballots than was originally reported."

On Thursday, Gillum told people via Facebook Live that every vote counts.

DeSantis and his campaign have not yet commented on a potential recount in the governor's race. He and running mate Jeanette Nunez are scheduled for events in South Florida on Thursday afternoon.

DeSantis was supported in the race by President Donald Trump.

Gillum conceded Tuesday night before a crowd gathered on the campus of Florida A&M University. In his concession speech, Gillum told supporters, "This was a difficult task, and I am sorry I couldn't bring it home for you."

The Tallahassee mayor had sought to become the state's first black governor and the first Democrat to win the governor's race in more than 20 years.

The 39-year-old pulled off an upset when he won the Democratic primary in August.

Meanwhile, Florida's race for U.S. Senate seems to be headed toward a recount. Republican Rick Scott leads longtime Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson by only 22,000 votes as of Thursday afternoon, which is well within the 0.5 percent to start a state-mandated recount.